I don't believe "equipt" is a proper word in any English dialect, at least not one with which I am familiar. I've certainly never seen it. There are a few verbs that have the "-t" alternative, like "burnt", but not many, and some, like "learnt" are generally considered archaic spellings nowadays.

I don't believe "equipt" is a proper word in any English dialect, at least not one with which I am familiar. I've certainly never seen it. There are a few verbs that have the "-t" alternative, like "burnt", but not many, and some, like "learnt" are generally considered archaic spellings nowadays.

Cyia, where were you taught "equipt"? I have never once seen it in a single book published and printed in the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, and I've been reading books published in those countries for upwards of 45 years. (And I would definitely remember it, thanks to my quirky memory.)

I guess this is my new fact for the day! I'm just surprised that there's such a big difference between the spelling taught in the schools where "equipt" is considered correct and the publishing industry of the same country or countries.

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Is it a book that teaches English or American children how to read or write English, or is it not a school text book but a book she has to read for interest like, say, a novel or a translation of a novel?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draíocht

I hadn't heard it before either, but my sister is still in school and it's in one of her reading books. Thanks everyone for the feedback.

This word doesn't usually appear in our free dictionary, but the definition from our premium Unabridged Dictionary is offered here on a limited basis. Note that some information is displayed differently in the Unabridged.

(Incidentally, my poor editor's hit the point of "Just spell it how you were taught, and we'll straighten it out in copyedits" from all the "learnt, leapt, burnt, dreamt, grey, etc. I'd throw her a "draughty room", but I think she might faint )

...apparently things went to hell for 'equipt' in 1750 - wonder what caused that?

Love that link!!! And looking at it Brit Eng usage fell 1750, American Eng slightly later (1840s). Brit Eng had first usage, but it looks like American Eng has a slightly higher usage than us today(ish).

Still like to know how the alternative came about, though.

And I'm not looking at word statistics at 1am Sunday morning, cause that would be really... sad....

(Incidentally, my poor editor's hit the point of "Just spell it how you were taught, and we'll straighten it out in copyedits" from all the "learnt, leapt, burnt, dreamt, grey, etc. I'd throw her a "draughty room", but I think she might faint )

Draught to me only refers to beer that is drawn from the keg, or maybe refering to horses.